More MRT closures planned over longer periods for repair works

Passengers can expect more scheduled closures of the rail network that are stretched out over a longer period, to create more time for major upgrades of MRT lines.

- Esther Loi

Singapore's rail system is relatively new at 40 years old, Acting Transport Minister. Jeffrey Siow said it is increasingly facing the same problems that other older metro systems have encountered in maintaining service quality and reliability as the system ages. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

(BRIAN TEO)

This is to allow repair works to be completed more quickly and safely, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow on Nov 19, citing the 10-day stoppage of train services on stretches of the East-West Line (EWL) from late November as an example.

Speaking to more than 700 global rail experts at the inaugural International Metro Operators’ Summit organised by public transport operator SBS Transit, Mr Siow said it is no longer enough to shorten operational hours with early closures and late openings of stations to increase the number of maintenance hours.

“As our network ages, we will have to shift this balance a little to create more time for major upgrades that require a continuous block of maintenance time,” he said at the summit at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

He also flagged two other challenges in maintaining rail reliability: the low adoption of new technology and a lack of fresh talent entering the sector.

Likening a metro system to a combination of a house, car and computer, Mr Siow said some people might own a 40-year-old house or car, but definitely not a 40-year-old computer - let alone a 100-year-old train system like the Tube in London.

Keeping these systems going is “almost Sisyphean”, requiring constant patching and repairs, or even occasional upgrades, he said.

“A metro system is extremely complex. It is made up of many interconnected parts,” he added.